Combination door stop and holder



Sept. 26, 1961 L. A. DIELEMAN COMBINATION DGOR STOP AND HOLDER Filed March 6, 1959 INVENTOR. MW/Pf/Vf A. DIZMAN ATTOPAJEVS United States Patent O This invention relates to a door control unit. More particularly, this invention relates to a door control unit selectively operable as both a door holder and a door stop.

An object of this invention is to provide a door control unit designed for safety and convenience as well as ease of control. It is highly desirable to have a door stop which can operate to eliminate the bumping, scufling and marring of the door as well as the adjacent wall or baseboard. Moreover, a door grip exhibits convenience in that, if desired, a door can be prevented from being slammed shut by drafts and the like. Further, a door holder eliminates the possibility of bumping into a partially opened door in the dark, a common danger in many homes during the night. -It is among the objects of this invention to provide a combination door holder and door stop which functions equally well for either purpose.

The door control unit of this invention is simple in construction and may be converted from a door holder to a door stop or vice versa in one simple operation. This operation may be performed by ones foot, eliminating the necessity of stooping and soiling the user's hands. However, even though this door control unit exhibits simplicity and speed of operation, it is sure and positive in its selected operation.

The door control unit of this invention is adapted to work equally well regardless of the size and weight of the door. The simplicity of the cooperating parts of this door control unit helps to insure this positive operation and reduce repairs and adjustments, ordinarily necessary after continued use, to a minimum. Apparatus presently in existence often exhibits the disadvantage of parts wearing out or requiring continuous adjustment to function properly. The door control unit comprising this invention is not only simple in operation, it may also be mounted in position quickly and easily.

These and other objects of this invention will become obvious to those skilled in the art of door-control units upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

"FIG. 1 is a side view of the door control unit comprising this invention acting as a door holder, the engagement body thereof being mounted on the floor.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, the door control unit operating as a door stop.

FIG. 3 is a perspective, exploded view of the parts of this door control unit.

FIG. 4 is a top, plan view of the engagement body forming a part of this invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the engagement'body shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternative construction of the engagement body, adapted to be mounted on a wall rather than the floor. I

Briefly, this invention relates to a door control unit selectively operable as a door stop and a door holder comprising a plunger member adapted to be mounted on a door, an engagement body positioned in the path another position. The plunger includes .an elongated,

1 hollow flexible member and a screw extending through mountedon a door D (FIGS. 1 and 2).

the hollow portion of this member, adapted to be secured to a door. q

Turning more specifically to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates a plunger member adapted to be The plunger member 1 includes an elongated flexible member 2, the

center-portion thereofbeing hollowed out to form thebore 3 (FIG. 3). The end portion '4 of the flexible portion 2 of plunger member 1 is slightly enlarged and is chamfered. A screw 5 of a size slidable within the bore 3, and having a beveled head, secures the plunger member 1 to the door D. Because the elongated portion 2 is flexible, the size of the enlarged chamfered end 4.

member I mounted on the door D. FIGS. 1-5 show this engagement body constructed such that it is adapted to be secured to a floor F. FIG. 6 shows an alternative construction of this engagement body, the only difference being that the structure shown in FIG. 6 is adapted to be mounted on a wall. The engagement body 10 includes a foot plate "-11, the purpose of which is to position the engagement body 10. The engagement body itself is preferably fabricated from a flexible, resilient material such as hard rubber. However, this invention is not to be limited by the material from which it is formed. An opening 12 is formed within the-engagement body 10.

This opening 12' is aligned withthe longitudinal axis of.

the plunger member 1, and of a size suflicient to frictionally envelop and hold the enlarged end 4 thereof. The lip of this opening includes a plurality of resilient prongs 13. These prongs preferably comprise a part of the engagement body itself and may be formed in the body at the time-of fabrication. These prongs exhibit a springingaction which maintains a constant tension on the enlarged end 4 of the plunger when it is enveloped in the opening 12 as shown in FIG. 1. A cavity 14 (FIG, 3) is formed in the top of the engagement body 10. A pair of small openings 15 are located, one in each side wall of cavity 14.

A selector lever 20 is adapted to be pivotally secured ing 12 in the engagement body 10. Therefore, when traversed by the plunger when the door is moved, an

the door D is swung open, the plunger member 1 will strike theengagement body 10 which is positioned in its path. The enlarged end 4 of the flexible portion 2 of plunger member 1 will be forced into the opening 12 by means of the force applied to the door D. The flexible prongs 13 grips and maintain a constant tension on the plunger after they have been expanded by the initial energyv force from the door D, the door control unit thus acting as a door holder.

. Preferably, the screw5 securing the plunger member 1" Patented Sept. 26, 1961 to the door D is set such that the enlarged end 4 is of a size allowing it to be pulled free of the engagement body 10 by a slight force on the door D. As has been noted hereinbefore, a slight tightening of the screw causes its beveled end to enlarge the chamfered end 4 of the flexible portion of the plunger 1. Therefore, if a door is especially heavy, the end 4 is enlarged such that it is of a size sufiicient to be held within the opening 12.

A portion 23 of the selector lever 20 extends beyond the engagement body 10. By placing ones toe on this portion 23, the selector lever 20 may be pivoted to the position shown in FIG. 2. It will be noted that in this position, the portion 23 of selector lever 20 covers the opening 12 in the engagement body 10. When the selector lever 20 is in this position, the door control unit comprising this invention operates as a door stop. The plunger member 1 will strike the portion 23 of selector lever 20 and will not enter into and be held by the opening 12 of the engagement body 10. In order to convert this door control unit back into a door holder, one need merely touch his toe against the portion 22 of selector lever 20 which extends in generally a vertical position from the engagement body (FIG. 2). The selector lever 20 may then be pivoted to the position shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, by a simple touch of the toe the door control unit may be selectively operable as both a door step and a door holder.

Turning to FIG. 6, an engagement body is shown which is identical to the engagement body described hereinbefore in all respects, except that it is adapted to be mounted on a wall or a baseboard. This is accomplished by extending a shaft 50 from the back of the engagement body and attaching the foot plate 11 at the end of this shaft, rather than on the bottom of the engagement body as previously described. It will now be obvious that the functioning of this engagement body 10 will be the same as described hereinbefore.

Assembly and operation The door control unit comprising this invention is assembled and mounted into position as follows. The screw 5 is extended through the flexible portion 2 of the plunger member 1. The flexible portion 2 is preferably constructed of a material such as hard rubber, although the invention is not to be so limited. The plunger member 1 is preferably secured to a door D and the engagement body 10 is preferably secured to a floor or to a wall. It is possible that these parts might be interchangeable, although I have shown and described this door control unit as having the plunger member 1 secured to a door.

The screw 5 is tightened such that the enlarged end 4 of the flexible portion 2 is of a size enabling it to be held by the opening 12 of engagement body 10. The engagement body 10 is then secured to a floor F (FIGS. 1-5) or may be secured to a wall or baseboard (FIG. 6). The engagement body 10 is positioned to lie in the path traversed by the plunger member 1 as the door is moved and the opening 12 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the plunger member 1. The selector lever 20 is pivotally secured in the top of the engagement body 10 as described hereinbefore, a portion 22 thereof adapted to lie within the cavity 14 of engagement body 10 and a portion 23 thereof extending beyond the engagement body 10.

The door control unit, when thus mounted, selectively operates as a door stop or a door holder by a mere touch of ones toe. -By moving the selector lever 20 to the position shown in FIG. 1 the door control unit operates as a door holder. By moving the selector lever 20 to the position shown in FIG. 2 the door control unit acts as a door stop.

Thus a door control unit has been described which is simple in construction and may be quickly installed for operation. The door control unit is such that it is adapted to work equally well regardless of the size and weight of the door. This door control unit may be quickly converted from a door stop to a door holder or vice versa. Further, the conversion operation may be performed quickly by ones toe, eliminating stooping or soiling of ones hands. The door control unit is sure and positive in operation and the simplicity of its working parts assures a long life with a minimum of adjustments and repairs.

While only one embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it is possible that certain other embodiments may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Such other embodiments are to be included as a part of this invention unless the following claims expressly state otherwise.

I claim:

1. In combination with a plunger member, a door control unit selectively operable as a. door stop and a door holder, comprising: an engagement body; one of the plunger member and said engagement body secured to a door and the other mounted in the path traversed by said one of the plunger member and said engagement body when the door is moved; an opening formed in said body, the lip of said opening including a plurality of resilient prongs, said opening aligned with the longitudinal axis of the plunger and of a size sufiicient to frictionally envelop and hold the plunger; and a selector lever operably securedto the top of said body, said lever covering said opening in one position and lying away from said opening in another position.

2. In combination with a plunger member, a door control unit selectively operable as a door stop and a door holder, comprising: an engagement body; one of the plunger member and said engagement body secured to a door and the other mounted in the path traversed by said one of the plunger member and said engagement body when the door is moved; said body having a hole therein aligned with the longitudinal axis of the plunger, said hole of a size suflicient to frictionally envelop and hold the plunger; said body having a cavity in its top, lying above said hole; a selector lever pivotally secured to the top of said body, said lever having a first portion lying in said cavity and a second portion extending beyond said body and generally in the plane of the top of said body in one position and said lever movable to a second position whereby said second portion covers said hole and said first portion extends upwardly in a gen erally vertical position.

3,. In combination with a plunger member, a door control unit selectively operable as a door stop and a door holder, comprising: an engagement body; one of the plunger member and said engagement body secured to a door and the other mounted in the path traversed by said one of the plunger member and said engagement body when the door is moved; an opening formed in said body, the lip of said opening including a plurality of resilient prongs, said opening aligned with the longitudinal axis of the plunger and of a size sufficient to frictionally envelop and hold the plunger; a cavity in the top of said body, lying above said opening; a selector lever pivotally secured to said body, a first portion of said lever lying within, said cavity and a second portion thereof extending beyond the edge of said body when said lever is in one position and said lever movable to a second position whereby said first portion extends upwardly in a. generally vertical position and said second portion lies in front of said opening.

4. A door control unit selectively operable as a door stop and a door holder, comprising: a plunger including an elongated flexible member having a bore therethrough, one end of said bore chamfered, and a screw having a beveled head adapted to extend through said bore, said beveled head engaging said chamfered end; an engagement body; one of said plunger and said engagement body secured to a door and the other mounted in the path traversed by said one of said plunger and said engagement body when the door is moved; said body having a hole therein aligned with the longitudinal axis of said plunger for frictionally receiving and holding the end thereof; and a selector lever operably secured to said body, said lever covering said hole in one position and lying away from said hole in another position.

5. A door control unit selectively operable as a door stop and a door holder, comprising: a plunger including an elongated flexible member having a bore therethrough, one end of said bore chamfered, and a screw having a beveled head adapted to extend through said bore, said beveled head engaging said chamfered end; an engagement body; one of said plunger and said engagement body secured to a door and the other mounted in the path traversed by said one of said plunger and said engagement body when the door is moved; an opening formed in said body, the lip of said opening including a plurality of resilient prongs, said opening aligned with the longitudinal axis of said plunger and of a size sufiicient to frictionally envelop and hold said plunger; and a selector lever operably secured to the top of said body, said lever covering said opening in one position and lying away from said opening in another position.

6. A door control unit selectively operable as a door stop and a door holder, comprising: a plunger including an elongated flexible member having a bore therethrough, one end of said bore chamfered, and a screw having a beveled head adapted to extend through said bore, said beveled head engaging said chamfered end; an engagement body; one of said plunger and said engagement body secured to a door and the other mounted in the path traversed by said one of said plunger and said engagement body when the door is moved; said body having a hole therein aligned with the longitudinal axis of said plunger, said hole of a size sufficient to frictionally envelop and hold said plunger; said body having a cavity in its top,

lying above said hole; a selector lever pivotally secured to the top of said body, said lever having a first portion lying in said cavity and a second portion extending beyond said body and away from saidhole in one position and said lever movable to a second position whereby said second portion covers said hole and said first portion extends upwardly in a generally vertical position.

7. A door control unit selectively operable as a door stop and a door holder, comprising: a plunger including an elongated flexible member having a bore therethrough, one end of said bore chamfered, and a screw having a beveled head adapted to extend through said bore, said beveled head engaging said chamfered end; an engagement body; one of said plunger and said engagement body secured to a door and the other mounted in the path traversed by said one of said plunger and said engagement body when the door is moved; an opening formed in said body, the lip of said opening including a plurality of resilient prongs, said opening aligned with the longitudinal axis of said plunger and of a size suflicient to frictionally envelop and hold said plunger; a cavity in the top of said body, lying above said opening; a selector lever pivotally secured to said body, a first portion of said lever lying within said cavity and a second portion thereof extending beyond the edge of said body when said lever is in one position and said lever movable to a second position whereby said first portion extends upwardly in a generally vertical position and said second portion lies in front of said opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

